Single Daddy's Obsession

Chapter 5

Maxine Martin's POV

"Mr. Taylor, does this young lady live with you?" The guard suddenly made me nervous with his question as he approached Ethan's dad.

"No," Mr. Lorenzo quickly responded, turning to the guard.

I looked at the guard, who now had a furrowed brow and was full of suspicion. "Miss, it seems like you're just using a scheme to enter Mr. Taylor's mansion," the guard accused.

I widened my eyes at the guard. I couldn't believe he was suspecting me of theft. Why didn't Ethan inform his dad? And the guard didn't even check the logbook, where Ethan might have left a note.

"N-no, I really live there. I-I just moved in last night. You can check the logbook—"

"What do you mean, 'no'?! I'm sorry, miss. Even if you're very beautiful, I can't let you enter the village. Security needs to be tight—"

"Guard!" we both turned at Mr. Taylor's call.

I felt my face grow hot. I was embarrassed in my current position. But perhaps the redness of my cheeks or the paleness of my face wasn't noticeable. It was getting quite dark. Also, Ethan's dad was now looking at the guard. I just bowed my head while clutching my bag.

"Mr. Taylor, I'm sorry... I'll just ask this lady to leave," I heard the guard say. But I couldn't bring myself to look in their direction out of sheer embarrassment.

"No. I know her," Mr. Taylor said.

My heart raced at what I heard. At least Mr. Taylor remembered me because we just saw each other earlier.

I mustered the courage to look at Ethan's dad. It was a mistake as he was looking directly at me, and our eyes met again. I couldn't look away. I don't know why, but there was something different in Mr. Taylor's gaze. It was captivating. Maybe it's because of his strong presence, even though he's a bit older.

"Hop in," Mr. Taylor instructed me.

Hearing his voice directed at me made my knees weak. I couldn't move from where I stood as I continued to gaze at Ethan's dad, accompanied by the pounding of my heart.

I was startled when a car horn sounded, and I noticed another car following behind Mr. Lorenzo's vehicle.

"S-sir, I'll just walk," I said. I was flustered. I didn't want to ride in his car, and I felt embarrassed.

"Come on, miss, there's a car behind us. Just ride with me," he said.

Gosh! Even his voice was handsome. It reminded me of a celebrity crush I had.

As the car behind Mr. Lorenzo honked again, I had no choice but to approach his vehicle. I opened the car door, and as I did, I noticed his eyes scanning my body. I didn't know what was happening to me. I usually have a presence of mind and don't easily panic, but right now, I was at a loss. My whole system was in disarray.

I quickly got into the car next to the driver's seat and placed my bag on my lap. As I settled in, I felt the car start moving. I didn't even bother with the seatbelt as the mansion was just a stone's throw away from the village entrance.

I remained frozen in my seat. I didn't know if I should speak or if I should look at Sir. I felt too embarrassed to meet his gaze again. My heart was still pounding, as if it would burst out of my ribcage.

I wasn't sure how many seconds had passed. I heard the man beside me clear his throat, which made me even more nervous.

"I forgot to ask your name this morning," he said in his baritone voice.

I glanced at Ethan's dad. He was focused on driving, so I had a chance to observe him.

"Maxine. Maxine is my name," I replied cautiously. I was relieved that my voice didn't tremble.

"Maxine," Sir Lorenzo softly repeated my name, nodding slightly. "You told the guard earlier that you moved in last night. Why did you say that?" he inquired.

Gosh! Here it comes. He's asking!

Suddenly, he stopped speaking. I shifted my gaze to the road and saw the familiar Taylor mansion. We had arrived.

"Uhm, yes," I replied, looking back at Sir Lorenzo. He didn't seem to pay attention to me as he reached the gate after honking. "I was brought and asked to stay at your mansion by Ethan yesterday. You weren't here, so he didn't introduce me," I explained and then bowed my head.

I heard the gate of the mansion opening, so I lifted my head. But I was surprised when I saw Sir Lorenzo looking at my lower body and his mouth slightly ajar. I blushed at his gaze. I wasn't sure if he was looking at my thigh or my belly. It was quite dark, so I was certain he couldn't see my thigh clearly, and my bag was resting on it, which I held awkwardly due to the discomfort I felt.

Wearing a pencil skirt, my skin was exposed as I sat down. Not to boast, but I have a perfect pair of legs. I can be considered fair-skinned. My skin is smooth because Margaux and I both take good care of our skin, just like our mom.

"Sir," I tried to divert his attention.

Sir Lorenzo looked at me suddenly. Our eyes met again. I couldn't decipher his reaction. I noticed the movement of his jaw. His gaze became more serious. But I couldn't miss the way his Adam's apple bobbed up and down.

"Tell me..." Sir Lorenzo's tone changed. His voice carried more weight. "Are you pregnant with my son, which is why he brought you here to my house?" he asked.

I was extremely shocked by Ethan's dad's question. It seemed like he forgot that his son introduced me as just a friend earlier. I felt so tense now. Maybe that's why he was looking at my stomach earlier. He was probably checking for a bump. Gosh! Margaux had just passed away, and now Sir was assuming that his son got me pregnant.

I seemed to have lost my voice, and I couldn't speak as Sir Lorenzo and I continued to stare at each other. There was something in his gaze that made it hard for me to look away. I was melting under his gaze. His girlfriend must be lucky to have such a handsome man.

As I gathered the courage to speak, I was interrupted by the ringing of a cellphone. It was Sir's phone. I briefly averted my gaze from Sir Lorenzo.

I saw the gate of the mansion open. When I looked back at the driver's seat, I saw Sir looking at his cellphone.

He didn't answer the call and just placed the phone back in front of the car. Sir didn't glance at me again and drove the car into the mansion. I averted my gaze to the side so I wouldn't see Sir Lorenzo. I felt more nervous now because he fell silent while his phone kept ringing without being answered.

Was he annoyed because he thought his son got me pregnant? In a moment, the car engine stopped. As it halted, the phone call also ceased. Silence took over the car until I heard Sir Lorenzo clear his throat softly, indicating that I should look at him.

I turned to look at him again, and our eyes met once more. I held my breath quietly as he remained silent.

"About what I asked... Are you pregnant with Ethan that's why he brought you here?" he inquired.

I immediately shook my head. "N-no, sir."

I noticed him let out a sigh, as if a weight had been lifted off his chest. "I thought... I'm sorry," he said.

Even his way of speaking was different. It seemed to send shivers down my spine. There was a hint of sexiness in his voice.

"I am friends with Ethan. My sister was his girlfriend, Margaux," I explained.

I noticed a glint in Sir's eyes. "I'm sorry for your loss... Even my son, he couldn't accept what happened when he heard the news, and he was crying. I was out of town at that time."

Upon hearing this, I felt a wave of sadness wash over me for my sister's passing. So, he knew about Ethan's girlfriend's death.

I found it difficult to meet Sir Lorenzo's gaze and averted my eyes from him.

After a while, I heard the car door open and saw Ethan's dad step out of the car. I felt a moment of relief, like I could breathe freely again. But then, I saw him walk towards the door on my side and open it.

I took a deep breath before stepping out of the car. I was surprised to see his hand extended. I glanced at it momentarily. He seemed to want to help me out.

's**t!' I cursed in my mind. It wasn't necessary. Getting out of the car was easy.

I slowly turned my gaze to Sir Lorenzo's face. He was just staring at me seriously.

Why is this man so handsome? You wouldn't even guess he has nine children because he looks like he's ten years younger. It's hard to control myself, and I find myself stopping in slight awe.

It felt like I was hypnotized when I held Sir's hand. But as our palms touched, I felt a strange sensation, like a current running through my skin. However, I brushed off the feeling. I quickly exited the car and thankfully didn't stumble.

I immediately withdrew my hand from Ethan's dad because my knees were shaking from our closeness.

"Thank you," I forced myself to look Sir in the eyes as I said that.

I just realized how tall Sir Lorenzo was as he slightly bowed towards me. He must be around 6 feet tall. I, on the other hand, stand at 5'6", which is quite tall for the average woman. Comparing it to the height of his girlfriend, Miss Glaiza, who always seemed grumpy, I estimated she might be around 5 or 5'1. She was only blessed when it comes to her chest. My body build matches my height perfectly. I scolded myself for comparing myself to Sir's girlfriend. It's not a good habit to constantly compare oneself to others.

"Let's go inside," Sir said softly, so I looked at him and took a step towards the mansion entrance.

Just like that? He didn't even ask why I was going to live here? He was only interested in whether I was pregnant with Ethan, supposedly. Well, I'll let Ethan and his dad talk. I didn't want to converse with Sir, and his staring was making me self-conscious.

I continued walking, following Sir Lorenzo. I had plenty of time to observe him from behind, and his physique was truly impressive. He must take good care of himself at the gym.

As we neared the main entrance of the mansion, I heard Sir Lorenzo's cellphone ring again.

This time, I saw him take the phone from his pocket and answer it.

"Hello, hon," Sir Lorenzo said.

I paused at the sound. Speaking of the girlfriend.

"Okay, I'll come to you, hon... I love you," I heard Sir Lorenzo say before hanging up.

It seemed like he was about to leave even before fully entering the mansion. I continued following Sir Lorenzo, who kept walking until we reached the front door.

After a moment, we were greeted by the daughter of the housekeeper I met yesterday. I forgot her name. With so many siblings Ethan introduced to me, it was difficult to remember each one immediately.

"Noemie," Sir Lorenzo suddenly called out to the housekeeper, and her name immediately came to mind. "Where's my kids?"

"Good evening, Sir Enzo. The children are in the study room, Erwan is in his room, and the others are in the living room waiting for you," Noemie politely replied, glancing at me. She probably found it curious that her boss and I were together.

I smiled at the housekeeper, and she returned the smile. Sir Enzo started walking, and I followed, knowing that we would likely head straight to the living room once we were inside.

"Dad." The young man who was born after Ethan immediately stood up. If I remember correctly, his name was Elijah.

"Elijah, and kids. I'm sorry I won't be able to join dinner again today. Aunt Glaiza has an emergency," Sir Lorenzo explained.

I couldn't help but gulp upon hearing Sir Lorenzo's words to his children. It reminded me of Ethan's story earlier.

One of his daughter stood up abruptly.

"I knew it! That witch again!" she exclaimed, then stormed out of the living room. However, her father caught her arm.

"Luisa! Why are you speaking about your Aunt Glaiza like that?" Sir Lorenzo questioned his daughter sternly. It was evident he was angry but trying to restrain himself from shouting.

I felt like I wanted to be invisible for a moment as it seemed I was about to witness a family argument. It was awkward to stay there, but I couldn't move from where I was standing. It seemed they had forgotten there was someone else present.

"I don't like her, dad, or any girlfriend you have. We won't like them!" Luisa declared, then pulled her arm away from her father and ran towards the stairs.